The Londesborough has recently been taken under new ownership, but if we were being honest we struggled to notice too much of a change on our latest visit. Without any comparisons to the predecessor, the pub looks great from the outside, with its Victorian features complimented by the dark paint job. The interior is lighter, with stripped floorboards and heavy wooden tables. The central bar helps separate the large rear area, which looked like it was used predominantly for dining. No matter really, as it was a Sunday and almost everyone in the pub was eating lovely looking Roasts. A couple of ales on tap, including a reasonably kept Harvey Bitter made us stay and prop up the bar, but we did rather regret coming on a Sunday. It is more than likely to have a different demographic during the week, when DJs can be heard, but we had to endure a surfeit of toddlers and babies scattered around the place, some spontaneously bursting forth with a bit of crying. A pub is a sum of its parts and that includes the clientele. While the food may look great and the beer might be nice, to negotiate a pub that feels like a mothers and babies meeting made us quickly up sticks and move around the corner to the Shakespeare, where the grown-ups prefer to drink. In summary, time your visit well.

From Stoke Newington train station, turn left down the hill and walk down Dynevor Road. Follow the left hand fork and continue until you reach Neville Road. Turn left and then right into Barbauld Road. The pub is half way down on the left.